'TIME FOR FRIENDS' & FORCED FORSYTHIA ~ PROVENCAL BEEF STEW

"In a way, nobody sees a flower really, it is so small, we haven't time ~ and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time."

~ Georgia O'Keeffe

FORCED FORSYTHIA

(Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood')

PROVENCAL BEEF STEW

~ This simple French peasant meal is perfect for an informal dinner with friends or after a busy day in the garden. Round out the meal with crusty French bread and a complimentary salad of arugula, tomato and black olive salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. (clipped and adapted from Observer & Eccentric 3/3/2005)

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2 1/2 lbs. lean beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. coarse salt

2-3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (more if needed)

2 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 sliced yellow onions

4 cloves minced garlic

1 cup dry white wine

1 (14 1/2 oz. can crushed tomatoes

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cup pitted green olives

additional thyme and rosemary sprigs for garnish

• Preheat oven to 325º.
• Combine flour and salt in resealable plastic bag. Add several pieces of meat to bag and shake, coating completely.
• In large ovenproof casserole, heat oil. Sauté meat in batches over medium heat until browned on all sides, about 7-10 minutes. Set meat aside.
• Add additional oil to pot if needed and sauté onions, stirring frequently, until nicely browned. Add garlic and sauté until soft.
• Add wine and stir, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan. Add tomatoes, mustard, olives and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes or until sauce thickens. Add meat to casserole. Cover and place in oven. Cook until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. (4-6 servings)
• Note: Can also cook on top of stove or in a slow cooker for 5-8 hours.

Gardener's Note: With exposed naked framework, this is the perfect time to prune and shape forsythia. Place trimmed branches in a bucket of cold water and let rest for 24 hours. Cut and arrange, trimming leaves and buds below water line, in a suitable container. Bursting buds will appear within a few days to a week. (These were snipped last Friday.)

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"Forsythia is pure joy. There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness or even knowledge in forsythia. Pure, undiluted, untouched joy."

~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh